Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $30.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Merced, CA runs $30.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,162 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,898 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Merced, California, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay reaches a median of $30.37, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $28.93. This competitive rate allows for substantial earnings even for part-time workers. A technician working three days a week might see significant take-home pay just from regular service calls in residential settings, commercial spaces, or specialized roles like data center cooling. For those in entry-level positions, hourly pay starts around $22.52, while more experienced mechanics can earn up to $46.44 per hour. Such figures are reflective of official BLS data, showcasing the prospects in Merced's HVAC industry and encouraging both seasoned professionals and apprentices to pursue this growing field.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.52 | $180.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.55 | $212.37 |
| Median (P50) | $30.37 | $242.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.81 | $302.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.44 | $371.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $30.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.37/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $63,164 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,441. With a cost-of-living index of 98.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,214.69 | $5,264 | $63,164 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $728.82 | $3,158 | $37,898 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $485.88 | $2,105 | $25,266 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Merced) | $30.37 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Auto Service Technician (National Avg) | $24.83 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Merced, CA earn a median of $63,162 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.97% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 8.10% below the California state average of $68,729.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.37/hr = $37,898/year (purchasing power: $38,564).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,164/year (purchasing power: $64,273).
CoL index: 98.275 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Merced grew 25.3% from $23.34/hr (2019) to $29.25/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.53/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.82% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer in Merced
Exploring the earning potential for part-time professionals reveals that a technician working 24 hours weekly could generate substantial income, typically translating to around $38,265 annually. For per-diem workers, rates can soar, with daily earnings of $80-$150 alongside hourly rates averaging between $30-$55, especially for those traveling to off-site commercial projects. Self-employed contractors in high-cost areas can command $90-$160 per hour, particularly during peak demand. Employers in Merced, ranging from residential service companies to commercial HVAC contractors, offer varying pay scales influenced by the type of work. While some may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others choose the flexibility of higher pay without such benefits. It's beneficial to negotiate effectively based on workload demands, ensuring that each technician can secure the best possible terms for their expertise and specialty.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Merced in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Merced paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Merced?
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Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Merced. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers (SOC 49-9021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician, a licensed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov